Mississippi sports betting revenue up 400% in August

All sports wagers made in Mississippi must be made in one of the state’s twenty-six commercial casinos.

US.- Mississippi’s sports betting handle climbed 412.7 per cent month-on-month in August to $40.5m, up from $7.9m in July.

Basketball accounted for almost half of the state’s wagers at $20 million, followed by baseball at $10 million. With the NFL and college football season beginning, September’s figures are predicted to be higher still.

But the Mississippi Gaming Commission ordered all casinos along the coast to temporarily close on Monday as Hurricane Sally brought risks of floods at coastal properties.

Mississippi regulation requires all sports bets to be made through one of the state’s commercial casinos. Casinos are currently operating at 50 per cent capacity due to coronavirus restrictions.

August’s sports handle produced taxable revenue of $3.7m, which represents a 30 per cent increase from the same month last year when operators collectively raked in $2.8m.

Other states have also reported increases in sports betting handles, including Atlantic City which set a new national record in August.